We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ace Cruz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ace below.

Ace, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I think it takes a can-do attitude, relentlessness and just understanding that there will be many curve balls. Leave no stone unturned and understand the 3 P’s. Most of the time it’s not Personal, Pervasive or Permanent. Markets change so always keep your head on a swivel. Only the paranoid survive. Also, relationships are very important. ALWAYS take care of your people, customers and those who have helped you.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’ve been a lifelong entrepreneur and got started at an early age and been in a few industries. In my 20’s I was in the night club business throwing some of the best know parties in Miami and that really opened up many doors for me. That network system that was established still pays dividends to this day. At the age of about 24 I became a stockbroker and was working on everything from mergers, buyouts and acquisitions thru Wall Street investments. By the time 2007 rolled around I focused more on investments that paid interest to my clients on a regular basis and provided many streams of cash flow for them and very often at a tax free rate. I still have that financial advising business. Besides Ojala Wines I owned and sold a real estate company I started in Detroit. I’ve always been an adventurer and traveled a lot and skydived around the world so its natural for me to carry myself in the same manner in business. Ojala Wines brings joy to the world and I really like that about our brand. Our brand produces sustainable wines with over 200 data points that we check off from beginning to end. Everything from water conservation, responsible pest control, healthy soils, paying people respectable wages and energy efficiency is taken into account when we produce our wines.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Ha! I get a good chuckle out of this one lol! I’m pretty sure I’ve made just about every mistake you can possibly make in business. Sometimes repeatedly. I think the nay sayers are always hovering. Years ago I had blown the companies money and only had a few days left of cash. There have been many times were I just kept going out of instinct and quitting just isn’t in the cards for me. But, I kept on going, stimulated my mind and multiplied my efforts that’s the easiest way to explain it. Just keep going no matter the odds! Thru out the years I had many curve balls thrown our way, lets just say I’m glad I didn’t quit.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

Well sell nationwide to most states on our website: www.OjalaWine.com but you can purchase our brand of wine thru many of the apps. Drizly, Postmates, Vivino to name a few. The biggest con is every state has different liquor laws and it could be a headache to navigate. Someone in Georgia can like our wines but because of Georgia laws can’t order from our website. Its a headache. The biggest pro thru the apps and our website is that millions of consumers can order out wines and just have it shipped to their homes. That’s pretty convenient

Contact Info:

• Website: www.OjalaWine.com
• Instagram: @Ojala_Wine
• Facebook: @OjalaWine
• Linkedin: Ojala Wine
• Twitter: #OjalaWine
• Youtube: Ojala Wine

Image Credits
Pic #2 Ace Cruz with Ana Reyes Photo Cred: Carlos Cortesi Pic # Left: Kathleen Marie Mesh Center: Ace Cruz Right: Clara Montenegro Photo Cred: Miami Lakes Food & Wine Festival